About this project

$19,171

pledged of $18,000 goal

269

backers

Our Stretch Goals!!!

Wow. First off, thank you to everyone who has helped us reach our fundraising goal of $18,000! The love has been insane!

In this final day of our campaign we'd like to focus on our stretch goals. The next $1,000-$1,500 will go toward hiring live musicians for our soundtrack, the recording session for the musicians, and the purchasing of a hard drive for our DCP (the digital file that some film festivals require in order to screen on their fancy projectors).

Concept

I love romantic comedies in all their gooey, gorgeous glamorousness. Nancy Meyers, Nora Ephron, Aline Brosh McKenna... they make “love” look beautiful and scary and funny and very, very real. I’ve seen some of these rom-coms so many times now that my mind begins to wander... and wonder about some of the other supporting characters. Like... the typical sidekick. Where does she come from? Who is she? What is her daily life like when the typical blond heroine is being whisked away on dates? What would it be like if SHE was the star of the film?

And that’s how my husband, Ben, and I came up with the idea for “The Best Friend.”

In our short film, Ellen Swall has been the loyal BFF to All-American girl Kate Sterling since... forever. She’s there when Kate meets the guy, when Kate needs help figuring out whether she should go for the guy and especially when Kate hits rock bottom thinking that true love will never come her way. The rest of the time? Ellen just waits til she’s needed again...
But after Ellen’s very existence is called into question following a lonely Chinese meal gone wrong, she needs to decide whether to take the advice she always enthusiastically gives Kate: “If you want it, go for it!”

Why Am I Doing This?

Up until now, my background as a director has mainly been in theater. This is the first story I've felt compelled to tell through film.

By deconstructing a romantic comedy and empowering a character – the “best friend” – who normally gets a short shrift, we think we've come up with a fresh take on a story we've all heard a million times.

Additionally, the nature of the genre allowed me to take a colorful approach with the storytelling. I see the world through the eyes of an artist and I believe that the romantic comedy can be the most vibrant of movies. I took full advantage of the tropes to create a world where backyard parties are lit by the warm glow of Edison light bulbs and the mere sight of a rich red bow tie can bring a smile to your face. My goal with this film was to show that comedies can be both funny and beautiful.

Finally, it was while working on this film that I discovered another issue I never gave much thought to before. You see, I always saw myself as a writer who happens to be female... and a director who happens to be female. But, boy did this experience open my eyes. As I got deeper and deeper into the project, I started realizing how few women hold positions as directors, writers, producers and editors. I am proud to say, on our production not only were all those spots filled by women, but just about every department included women. This is something I will continue to fight for on every set I'm a part of in the future.

Where Are You With The Project And Where Does the Money Go?

With the help of an amazingly talented and dedicated cast and crew, we shot “The Best Friend” over four days earlier in the summer. Now we’re in post-production -- this means editing, sound design, color correction and music (as well as feeding the people who do editing, sound design, color correction and music). This costs money.

There are lots of other production costs that still need to be paid... and we won’t be able to get the film out there until we pay them.
Once that’s complete, we plan on submitting the movie to film festivals across the country. This costs money too.

Some Incentives!

Oren's Daily Roast Ceramic Coffee Cup - $15

In all seriousness, and not to overstate anything, but everybody we've ever given one of these mugs to has said it's pretty much the single best coffee mug they've ever used in their entire lives. All of our close friends have one and now so can you!

Vintage Redeux T-Shirt or Sweatshirt - $60 or $90

Megan Balthazor and Rachel Quiles of Vintage Redeux are great friends of the film. Megan was our set dresser AND not only did they let us put Ellen in one of their amazing Spirit Animal sweatshirts for a scene in the movie, but they've also designed a special limited edition Spirit Animal T-shirt & sweatshirt for our Kickstarter campaign... and here it is:

And Now, A Very Special Video Interlude:

Jordan Black played Bruce, the head cater waiter. An amazing improviser, Jordan gave us too much awesome material. We had no choice but to put it together as a supercut!

Credits

None of what you see on this page could've been accomplished without the help of the following people:

Kickstarter Video Edited by
Kathryn Robson

Music By
Jonathan Sadoff

B Roll/Interviews shot by
Bob Beresh

Bruce Video Edited by Eric Buchman

Risks and challenges

The good news is that the hard part is done: pre-production and production.

But now comes the other hard part: post-production and getting eyes on this movie.

You see, everything about indie filmmaking is hard -- the hours, the money, the compromises. That being said, every single person on our team is 100% committed to finishing this movie and making it look absolutely beautiful, genuinely truthful and incredibly funny.

But anything can go wrong at any moment. For instance, what if someone gets a super-cool paying job? That could mean a schedule shift and money lost. However, we have an uniquely talented production team who has nipped every problem we’ve had in the bud and who I’m confident can take on any other unforeseen snafus that may come our way.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $15 or more
About $15

FRIEND: There’s only one way to prove you’re a real deal friend of Melissa and Ben Oren -- and that’s by having an OREN’S DAILY ROAST COFFEE MUG in your kitchen. You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

BUDDY: You will receive a DIGITAL COPY of the ORIGINAL SCORE -- composed by Jonathan Sadoff of Thenewno2 (“Beautiful Creatures”; “Seeking a Friend for The End of the World”) -- on a sweet brand new USB DRIVE! You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $45 or more
About $45

OLD FRIEND: You will receive a DVD COPY of the SHORT FILM, a DIGITAL COPY of the SHORT FILM and DIGITAL COPY of the ORIGINAL SCORE on your brand new USB DRIVE. You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $60 or more
About $60

BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER: You will get a Special Limited Edition “The Best Friend” screen printed SPIRIT ANIMAL T-SHIRT from our friends at Vintage Redeux (the same folks who made the Spirit Animal top ELLEN wears in the film) PLUS a DVD COPY of the FILM, a DIGITAL COPY of the FILM and DIGITAL COPY of the ORIGINAL SCORE on your brand new USB DRIVE. You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $90 or more
About $90

SISTA FROM ANOTHER MISTA: You will get a Special Limited Edition “The Best Friend” screen printed SPIRIT ANIMAL SWEATSHIRT from our friends at Vintage Redeux (the same folks who made the Spirit Animal top ELLEN wears in the film) PLUS a DVD COPY of the FILM, a DIGITAL COPY of the FILM and DIGITAL COPY of the ORIGINAL SCORE on your brand new USB DRIVE. You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

CHI-TOWN BESTIE: AN INVITATION FOR TWO to a Screening Party in Chicago PLUS a DVD COPY of the FILM, a DIGITAL COPY of the FILM and DIGITAL COPY of the ORIGINAL SCORE on your brand new USB DRIVE. You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package. (Transportation/lodging not provided)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

NEW ORLEANS BESTIE: AN INVITATION FOR TWO to a Screening Party in New Orleans PLUS a DVD COPY of the FILM, a DIGITAL COPY of the FILM and DIGITAL COPY of the ORIGINAL SCORE on your brand new USB DRIVE. You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package. (Transportation/lodging not provided)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

L.A. BESTIE: AN INVITATION FOR TWO to a special Screening Party in Los Angeles PLUS, a DVD COPY of the FILM, a DIGITAL COPY of the FILM and DIGITAL COPY of the ORIGINAL SCORE on your brand new USB DRIVE. You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package. (Transportation/lodging not provided)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

NYC BESTIE: AN INVITATION FOR TWO to a Screening Party in New York City PLUS a DVD COPY of the FILM, a DIGITAL COPY of the FILM and DIGITAL COPY of the ORIGINAL SCORE on your brand new USB DRIVE. You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package. (Transportation/lodging not provided)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

BEST FRIEND FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER: This is the ultimate THE BEST FRIEND beauty package! You will get a BLOW-OUT courtesy of one of the LA-based hair stylists from THE BEST FRIEND AND a make-up consult from TBF'S Make-Up department head, Shauna O'Toole (www.shaunaotoolemakeup.com)! PLUS you'll receive the Special Limited Edition “The Best Friend” SPIRIT ANIMAL SWEATSHIRT from our friends at Vintage Redeux (the same folks who made the Spirit Animal top ELLEN wears in the film) PLUS your choice of Screening Party AND DVD Copy, DIGITAL COPY and DIGITAL SCORE on your brand new USB DRIVE. You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package. (Transportation/lodging not provided)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

AMIGO A.P.: Receive an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER credit on our IMDb page! PLUS you'll receive the Special Limited Edition “The Best Friend” SPIRIT ANIMAL SWEATSHIRT from our friends at Vintage Redeux (the same folks who made the Spirit Animal top ELLEN wears in the film) PLUS your choice of Screening Party AND DVD Copy, DIGITAL COPY and DIGITAL SCORE on your brand new USB DRIVE. You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package. (Transportation/lodging not provided)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

E.P. PARTNER FOR LIFE: Look at you! You've just received an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER credit on our IMDb page! PLUS you'll receive the Special Limited Edition “The Best Friend” SPIRIT ANIMAL SWEATSHIRT from our friends at Vintage Redeux (the same folks who made the Spirit Animal top ELLEN wears in the film) PLUS your choice of Screening Party AND DVD Copy, DIGITAL COPY and DIGITAL SCORE on your brand new USB DRIVE. You will also receive the FAMILIAR FACE package. (Transportation/lodging not provided)